"A Historical German City" Mainz by hunterV

Mainz Travel Guide: 380 reviews and 657 photos

In Mainz at last! September 2006

History Alive

Mainz, the capital of Rheinland-Pfalz, has always attracted me as a city full of history.
I have visited that German province several times. I have been to Altenkirchen County six times, but not a single time to the province capital. The program of stay of the groups from Luhansk, Ukraine, that I accompanied as an interpreter was so busy that our hosts could not allot a whole day for a trip the province capital.
I only got that opportunity during my last visit to Germany in September 2006.
I went to Germany without any group, just by myself, as a representative of Luhansk regional children’s hospital. I have worked as a part-time translator for the children's hospital in Luhansk for years.
My task was to receive the humanitarian aid at the meeting of Altenkirchen County administration from the hands of Franz. He had worked there and had collected a big sum of money as donations from his friends for his birthday party. Those kind donations enabled him to buy a very useful device for a Ukrainian hospital. It was a great citizen initiative and I was honored to take an active part in it.
My mission was to receive the device and to deliver it to Luhansk regional children's hospital.
I had a family stay in Altenkirchen at the house of Franz, a great friend of Luhansk, and one day he took me to Mainz for he had to go there on business.
It was an unforgettable day’s stay in Mainz.

Unforgettable Stay

Johannes Gutenberg monument in Mainz

We arrived to Mainz by car and parked at the Rhine embankment. We began exploring the city from the building of the province parliament.
I admired the old beautiful buildings and saw Mainz cathedral from afar. Before going to the cathedral we had some coffee at “Extrablatt” café in Market Square.
The cathedral itself has a very long history and a lot of memorial places both inside and outside.
We did not go to the World Book Printing Museum, but we approached Johannes Gutenberg monument located opposite the Opera Theater.
Johannes Gutenberg (1400-1468) invented book printing with removable letters. His great achievement did a good turn to Reformation in Germany when there was a need to spread Martin Luther’s translation of the Bible all over Germany and Europe.

Outstanding Landmarks

Having coffee at "Extrablatt" cafe in Mainz

Many outstanding landmarks are to be seen in the city:
St.Martin’s Cathedral,
St.John’s Church
and other churches,
the former royal palace,
the opera theater.
We had a short walk in the Old Town and managed to see and to take picture of some of them.
I was pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness and tidiness of the streets, stores, monuments, parks and cafes, irreproachable transport service and faultless roads and pavements.
Next time there will be many more places to see and to explore. Let’s hope!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Lots of historical places, tidy countryside, clean streets and faultless traffic and roads
Cons:you need much time to get to know the city
In a nutshell:History Alive

Last visit to Mainz: Sep 2006
Intro Updated Aug 7, 2011
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Reviews (5)

Numerous Stores Shopping (1)

There are so many ultramodern stores right across the square from the Cathedral. It's very easy to get lost in... more travel advice

Johannes Gutenberg, a great inventor - Mainz

Pondering at the City Monuments Things to Do (3)

There are enough monuments to ponder at in the Old Town: starting with Johannes Gutenberg monument in Gutenberg Square... more travel advice

Exploring Market Square Things to Do (3)

There are a lot of old historical buildings in this square and in adjoining side streets. I enjoyeed my stroll in Old... more travel advice

"Extrablatt" : a nice Market Square café - Mainz

Market Square Cafe Restaurants (1)

This is a great local cafe with a very good location in Market Square. Before going to St.Martin's Cathedral we sat in... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written Jan 22, 2008

8 photos

Marvel at the City's Architecture

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Comments (8)

KiKitC Nov 19, 2009 at 3:48 AM Report Abuse

Wow, your pictures and tips are wonderful. Thank you for the birthday wishes. Would have liked to been in Mainz instead of my dreary office...someday...
Basaic Feb 18, 2009 at 12:18 PM Report Abuse

I went through here many yaers ago. Thanks for showing me what I missed.
christine.j Sep 1, 2008 at 7:55 AM Report Abuse

My Alma Mater, thank you for your page. I enjoyed reading it.
cleomedes Mar 8, 2008 at 6:11 AM Report Abuse

Really nice Mainz page, you make me homesick!
deecat Jan 28, 2008 at 2:14 PM Report Abuse

Wonderful travelogue concerning the architecture. As architecture is one of the best reasons to travel for me, I found it just terrific. Also enjoyed "seeing" the Cathedral, monuments, and lovely Market Square.
globetrott Dec 30, 2007 at 10:28 PM Report Abuse

It is always great to see such an old, gothic cathedral !
Kristina1701 Dec 27, 2007 at 3:37 PM Report Abuse

hi, just wanted to let you know that the cathedral, schillerplatz, gutenbergplatz etc. are NOT in the Old Town of mainz! nice page though!
Kuznetsov_Sergey Dec 17, 2007 at 5:24 AM Report Abuse

St.Martin’s Cathedral and Old Town look very attractive at your page. Thanks Victor for sharing!